Great Lakes connects for 17 hits, including three homers, to crush Dayton 14-3

DAYTON, Ohio -- The Tony Delmonico experiment has nothing to do with his bat.
The infielder-turned-catcher hit two homers and a triple, powering the Great Lakes Loons to a 14-3 win over the Dayton Dragons in the Midwest League opener for both teams.

Delmonico, who also walked twice, led a Great Lakes offense that had 17 hits against four Dayton pitchers.

The 175-pound catcher hit .340 with 11 homers last season with short-season Ogden. He played second base for Ogden, but the Los Angeles Dodgers moved him behind the plate this season.

"I actually like playing catcher ... it keeps me in the game," Delmonico said. "Catcher is the easiest way to the major leagues, especially if you're a good hitting catcher. I know I can hit. That's never been a problem.

"I don't think a lot when I'm hitting. That's a big asset. Most of your trouble hitting comes when you start thinking too much and keep making adjustments. I have my 0-for-4s, but I stay out of slumps by being consistent at the plate."

Delmonico had some struggles behind the plate. He allowed a passed ball and three wild pitches. He threw out 1 of 3 stolen base attempts.

Delmonico shared the hitting spotlight with several teammates, including Kyle Russell. The Loons outfielder, who hit 57 homers at the University of Texas, added a triple, homer and three RBIs.

Alfredo Silverio, who hit .263 with the Loons last year, had three hits.

The Loons scored four runs in the second and held a 5-1 lead entering the seventh inning. Great Lakes broke the game open against Dayton reliever Mike Bohana, who gave up six hits and seven runs in two innings.

Great Lakes starter JonMichael Redding did his part, earning his first professional win. Redding allowed three hits, one run and two walks in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six. He was 0-4 with a 5.17 earned run average last season at Ogden.

The Loons have won all three of their season openers, but Redding is the first starter to get the win. In the franchise's opener, current Dodger Clayton Kershaw started, but reliever Doug Brooks earned the win. Last season, current Loon Justin Miller started but reliever Daigoro Rondon got the win in relief.

Jordan Pratt and Robert Boothe closed out the win. Redding, Pratt and Boothe combined to strike out 11 Dragons.

Bobby Blevins and Ethan Martin are scheduled to start the next two games to close out the three-game series at Dayton. Blevins was 2-7 with a 2.96 earned run average for the Loons last season, while Martin was the Dodgers' first-round pick in 2008 but tore his meniscus and did not pitch. He will make his pro debut Saturday.

The Loons have Sunday off before returning to Dow Diamond for their home opener at 6 p.m. Monday against West Michigan.